Tom Gola is a retired professional basketball player who played for the Philadelphia Warriors and New York Knicks. He was also a former coach of the college team La Salle Explorers.
Awards and Honors
- NBA Champion (1956)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- NCAA Champion (1954)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- NIT Champion (1952)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- NCAA Basketball Tournament MVP (1954)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- NIT Co-MVP (1952)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- 5x NBA All-Star (1960 - 1964)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- All-NBA Second Team (1958)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1976)Basketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
- Madison Square Garden Hall of FameBasketball Hall of Fame: Thomas J. "Tom" Gola
Pro Career
Gola was drafted in the 1955 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors as a territorial pick. He played for the Warriors from 1955 to 1962 and for the New York Knicks from 1962 to 1966. He was then inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame as player in 1976.Basketball-Reference.com: Tom Gola
Coaching Career
He also became an acclaimed basketball coach for his former college team La Salle University Explorers from 1968-1970 and led the team to a 37-13 record during his two-year stay.StatSheet.com: La Salle Coach Tom Gola
Tom Gola Vital Stats
- Basketball-Reference.com: Career Stats
- Height: 6' 6"
- Weight: 205 lbs
- Rookie Year: 1955
Tom Gola Timeline
January 13, 1933: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1955: Graduated at LaSalle University
1955: Drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors
1955 - 1962: Philadelphia Warriors
1962 - 1966: New York Knicks
1968 - 1970: Coach of La Salle Explorers
1976: Enshrined in Basketball Hall of Fame